Bipartisan House Bill Targets 300,000-Ton Russian Diesel Waiver
Sponsors argue the Treasury exemption weakens the 2022 import ban and seek mandatory 24-hour congressional alerts for satellite service interruptions.
By Valentina Cruz ·
A bipartisan group of House members introduced legislation on October 24 to reverse a recent Treasury Department waiver that allowed 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel to enter the United States. The bill, known as the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, would cancel the existing exemption, which is set to expire on April 7, 2027. It would also prohibit future waivers for Russian energy imports.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the measure. He is joined by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The legislation has been referred to three House committees for review. Fitzpatrick stated, "We must not import a single drop of Russian oil."
President Donald Trump defended the waiver as a strategy to expand global diesel supplies and lower prices. He announced the deal following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that Russia agreed to provide the fuel immediately. Diesel prices have risen recently due to supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran. Bacon told RFE/RL, "Congress must be a check to the president's egregious appeasement to Putin." Gluesenkamp Perez argued that lowering gasoline prices should involve ending the war in Iran rather than directing American funds to Russia.
The bill also addresses satellite communications. It requires intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense and to notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any service interruption. This provision responds to reports that Ukraine's access to SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield systems was restricted. Ukrainian officials said the disruptions affected military operations, though connection speeds were restored on October 24.
A Ukrainian official told RFE/RL that SpaceX has not explained the earlier limits. The official said, "no one has explained what happened or what will happen next." Ukrainian reports indicated that restrictions imposed on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the limits remained in place despite President Trump's claim that service had been restored after contact with Elon Musk.
Eight lawmakers, including Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley and Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin, wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They urged him to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract and guarantee uninterrupted service. The letter suggested using the Defense Production Act, stating that service decisions "should not be left solely to the discretion of a private provider."
Several Democrats are seeking further clarity on the satellite restrictions. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the president or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. Senator Tillis wrote on X that whoever is handing Putin "the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine" should "have the guts to put their name on it."
Source: RFE/RL
